Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 109: Colder than the north (2)

Chapter 109: Colder than the north (2)

The‌ snowflakes piled up⁠⁠ on the window.⁠⁠‍

Vlad was looking at the mansion’s door‌ that had never‍‍‌ budged and showed⁠ no intention of moving.

“…”‌

Indeed,‌ seeing a well-closed‌ door was a familiar experience.

Throughout‌‍ my life, I can count on⁠ one hand the⁠⁠ number of places‌ that have opened their doors wide‌⁠⁠ to me.

“Is⁠ it amusing?”

“Huh?‍ No, it’s not‍ that.”

The‌ gatekeepers’ reaction to⁠ the wandering knight‌‌ from the north‍⁠⁠ is cold.

Their⁠ attitude daring to⁠⁠ belittle knights gives⁠ an idea of‌ the power of‌ the Vitskaya county‌ family.

I should have recognized⁠‌ their power before knocking on the⁠‍⁠ door, and it⁠ was definitely my fault for not‌ knowing it.

“I⁠ just want an‍ answer. I’m not‍ asking for permission.”‌‌

Then‌‍⁠ it must be⁠⁠ your fault for‍ not recognizing me.‍

As⁠ soon as Vlad‌ finished speaking, he‍‍ pulled a small‍‌ flag from his⁠ luggage and slammed it into the‌⁠⁠ ground.

Kyaang-!

A small spark bouncing‍⁠ off.

A sound like swords clashing echoed from‌ the solidly frozen⁠‍ ground.

“What‍‌‍ are you doing‍‍ now…?”

Vlad‌ showed his level⁠ through his actions‌‌ a moment ago.‌

The⁠‌‍ gatekeepers who saw‍‍⁠ this began to‌ recognize that Vlad‍ was different from the knights they⁠⁠ had seen before.‌⁠

This‌‍ knight was not someone who came‌‌‍ to beg something‌⁠‌ from the count.‍‍

“No‍‌ matter how simple⁠ a knight may be, he will‌⁠ at least get‍‍ an answer from⁠⁠ the Count.”

The‍‍ wind blew.

The cold wind blowing⁠⁠ from the north⁠‌ raised the flag‍ planted in the‍⁠ icy ground.And I discovered who Vlad‍‍ was.

Family‍‌ and organization emblems‍ engraved on the⁠‌‌ fluttering flags.

And‍ among those emblems,‌‌ there was a banner that caught⁠‍ the gatekeepers’ attention.⁠

“Now.”‌

“This…”‍‍

The⁠‌ gatekeepers wouldn’t have‍ been able to⁠‍‌ recognize all the⁠‍ northern family coats⁠ of arms.

However,‌ there was a mark engraved on‌‍ Vlad’s flag that‍ was easily recognizable‌ to their eyes.‌

It was a sign⁠ that anyone could‌ recognize no matter‌ where on the‍‍‍ continent they were.‍

“I‍‌ will await the answer from now⁠⁠ on.”

A dark line is‌ drawn under the‌⁠ head of a fire-spewing dragon.

The‍ mark of the⁠⁠ Dragon Slayer.

The⁠‌ gatekeepers’ complexion, who‌‍ recognized the mark,⁠ began to turn⁠‍ blue.

In‌ the Vitskaya district,⁠⁠ a small northern flag fluttered.

There‌ is only one⁠‍ way to end⁠⁠‌ abandonment and discrimination⁠ without reason.

That‌ will be just‌ a test for oneself.

And⁠ the knight who⁠ was now in‍ front of the‌ mansion was the‍‍ one who proved‌ to have the‍ most perfect blood.‍⁠

The flag waved in‍ the wind, but⁠ the knight’s blue⁠‍ eyes remained steady.⁠

***

A tray filled with‍ vegetables and fruits.‍

The⁠ generously sprinkled sauce‍ on top wasn’t‌ flowing smoothly.

“How‌ old are you?”‌⁠

“I’ll‌ turn 18 this⁠‌ year.”

Count‌‍ Vitskaya, who had‍ been eating for‌ a while, had a mountain of⁠‌ salad piled in‌ front of him.⁠‌

Or‍‌ perhaps he was‍⁠ reprimanding Vlad for⁠⁠ his sudden visit⁠‍‌ like this.

“You’re‍‌ 18 years old⁠ and you hunted‌‍ a dragon?”

“I⁠⁠ was 17 at⁠ the time.”

“…I‌ see.”

The⁠ fastest dragon in⁠‌ the North. Lindworm.

Count‌‌‌ Vitskaya couldn’t help but harbor deep‍‌‌ doubts that the young knight before‌ him had caught it.

“But‌‌‍ the mark is real.”

Fame‍ is vain, but‌‌ honor never loses⁠ its shine anywhere.‍⁠

And⁠⁠ on the flag‌‌ the young knight⁠⁠ brought, there was clearly an honorable⁠ mark engraved that‌‌ couldn’t be ignored.

However,‍⁠⁠ in order to⁠‌ use that mark,‍‌ you must have⁠ permission from the‍‍ Dragon Slayer Knights.⁠

“Who gave permission for‍‍‌ the use of‍⁠ that mark?”

Vlad⁠‌‍ silently looked at⁠‌ the central region’s‍⁠‍ lord, who was‌‌ looking at him‌ in response to⁠⁠‍ the question he⁠⁠ heard.

Although‍ the emblem and⁠‍ mark on the‍ flag weren’t the⁠‌ same, the count⁠ kept asking about‌ the dragon hunter’s‌‌ mark.

Seeing‍ that, Vlad was‌ able to recognize‍ it.

The‍ influence of the‌⁠⁠ North doesn’t reach‌‍⁠ here.

“This‍⁠ is Sir Mirshea‌ Dragulia, leader of⁠‌ the Dragonslayer Knights.”⁠

And‍ the majesty of‌⁠‍ the Dragon Slayer‍ Knights spans the central region.

“Mirshea…⁠ Leader of the‌‍ Dragonslayer Knights.”

At⁠⁠⁠ the single name⁠ that came out‌‍ of Vlad’s mouth,⁠ not only the‌‌ count but also the knights around‌ began to murmur.‌

Vlad‌ was momentarily taken‍ aback by their‌‍‌ sudden reaction, but‌ decided not to⁠‍ show it.

“If‍ this is false, you’ll die here.”‌‍

After‍ hearing the name⁠⁠ Mirshea, the Count‌ stood up and‍‍⁠ began to growl‍‌ at Vlad.

How⁠‍ dare you mention‍⁠ the Dragullia family⁠ and the Dragon⁠ Slayer Knights in‌ the topic of⁠ North wandering people?⁠‍

The‍ eyes of Count‌ Vitskaya began to‌‍ grow fierce upon‌‌‌ hearing the names of beings who⁠ shouldn’t dare to⁠ personify them.

The noble blue blood⁠ in his eyes‌ pressed Vlad mercilessly.‌‍‌

“There‌ is no lie‌ in what I say, Count. I definitely killed Lindworm,‌‌‍ and Sir Mirshea⁠⁠‍ clearly witnessed it.”⁠

However, Vlad simply calmly‌‍⁠ ignored even the sharp warning from‌⁠⁠ the Count.

Vlad’s‌ attitude, which was‍⁠‍ neither arrogant nor servile, made Count‌‌‍ Vitskaya think a lot.

‘…I‌ don’t know who‍ raised him, but⁠ they did.’

The⁠‍ pressure of the⁠ Count title is‌ truly great.

However, looking at the‍ young knight who⁠‌ was completely unyielding⁠‍ even in front⁠ of him, Count⁠ Vitskaya had no‌‌ choice but to⁠ pull his tongue.‍‌⁠

At⁠ this point, it‍⁠ would be right‍‍‍ to admit it,‌‌ even if it’s⁠ a fraud.

“Then.‌ Do you want‍‌⁠ to borrow a mage?”

“That’s‌‍ right. I’d like⁠ to convey some‌‌ urgent news to‍ my lord in⁠‌⁠ Soara.”

Coming‌‌ to borrow a letter during a mission was not⁠‌ common, but it happened.

If‌‌⁠ Vlad had been‌‌‍ a knight from‍‍‌ the central region and not from the north, the‍ count would have‌‍‌ gladly lent him‌‍ the crystal ball.‍

“May‍ I ask what‍‍ you’re writing the⁠⁠ letter for? It‍ seems like quite⁠ an urgent matter.”⁠‍

“…”‍‌‌

However,⁠‍ it had never‌ before happened that‍ a knight from‌ the North came‍ down to the‌ territory located in‌ the central region,‌‍‌ especially in the‌⁠⁠ East, and borrowed⁠‍ a letter.

Count⁠ Vitskaya needed to‍ know what news‌ the young knight‌‍ before him was‌ trying to convey,‌ not only out‍‍‌ of curiosity but⁠‌ also out of‌‌‍ duty as a lord.

The urgent news that⁠‍ an extraordinary person‍ wants to convey‌ must be important.⁠

“…A‍ few days ago,⁠ I found a strange creature in‌⁠⁠ the Dobrecho forest.‍ It had the‍‌‍ form of a troll, and even if you killed⁠ it, it wouldn’t‌ die.”

When‌‌ the Count told‌‌‌ him to tell⁠‍‍ the story, Vlad⁠ didn’t worry too⁠‍ much.

Even‌‍ if he hadn’t⁠ said it here,⁠‍ he would have‍‌ known anyway.

And‍‍‌ even if he⁠ knew, it wouldn’t‍ be a problem.

Being‌ cautious of evil and evil beings‍ probably isn’t anything special anywhere.

“What‌‌ do you mean‌⁠‍ it wouldn’t die‌ even if you‍‌‌ killed it…?”

“This‍⁠ has also happened‌ in the North. I believe something⁠‍ unknown is slowly‌‍ spreading.”

The‍ hall, which had been noisy a moment ago, fell⁠‍ silent as if‍ cold water had‍ been poured over⁠ Vlad’s words explaining‍ the evil being.‌

Until⁠ that point, stories‌‌‍ related to black‍⁠ magic made people‍‌ nervous.

“…Where⁠ was the guy⁠ who wouldn’t die?”‍

“This⁠‍ is Dobrechi, the‌‍ territory of the‍‍ Dalmatia family.The nearest⁠‍ city is Tanovo.”⁠

I have my work⁠⁠ to do, but‌ I’m also here‌ to warn you.‌‍

But⁠ why are you⁠‌ treating me so‍‍ badly?

Count⁠‍ Vitskaya felt as⁠ if Vlad’s blue‍ eyes were saying⁠ that.

“Lend⁠ the crystal ball⁠ to the Northern‌ guest!”

The‌‌ Count, realizing the‍‍‌ gravity of the‍ situation from Vlad’s unyielding gaze, quickly‌‍‌ raised Vlad’s status‌ from an uninvited⁠ guest in the‌⁠ North to an‌‍ honored guest.

It seemed as if⁠ he had been⁠‌ hit by a knight, but the⁠‍ count was a man who didn’t⁠‌ care about such‌‌ things.

“Thank⁠ you.”

“I apologize for leaving‍⁠‍ you outside. Nowadays, many knights come‍ seeking positions. I thought you were‍ one of those‌ knights.”

Even‌‌‌ though he was⁠ a count, Vlad⁠ couldn’t help but‍ be surprised at‍‍‌ his attitude of directly saying an‍‌ apology.

It‍ was too quick⁠ a change in‍‍ attitude to be⁠‍ considered someone who⁠‍ ignored him without‌ even opening the‌‌ door.

“I‌‍ understand. Count.”

“Very⁠‍ well. Hurry and‌ go report.”

Clean‍‌ greeting, polite attitude.⁠

The‍‌‍ Count’s eyes gleamed‌ as he watched⁠‌‍ Vlad, who came‌‍ from the North‌ but had a central attitude.

The⁠ count even had⁠ Vlad’s last appearance‍ engraved in his⁠ eyes.

“Find‍ him now.”

“Yes.⁠ We will search‍‍ Dobrechi right away.”‌

“Not‌‌ like that!”

The⁠ hall suddenly fell⁠⁠‍ silent after Vlad⁠ left.

The small but firm‌ voice of Count‌ Vitskaya came from‌ above.

The⁠ Count’s voice was⁠⁠ urgent as he‍ was aware that⁠⁠ Vlad was already⁠⁠ outside the door.‍

“Is‍ that boy really a Dragon Slayer?‌ Find out if‍ he’s the Bayezid⁠‍ knight!”

“Yes, yes!”

A leader who doesn’t⁠‍ even understand work‌‌‌ priorities.

The⁠ Count’s eyes were‍ fierce as he⁠‌ watched that scene.‌‌

“Everyone,‍ out!”

The‌ knights in the hall began to‌‌ leave in droves‍‍ upon seeing the⁠⁠‌ count, who even‌ gestured with his⁠⁠⁠ hand as if⁠⁠ to hurry them‌ and give an‌ order to welcome‌ the guests.

Everyone‍ seemed impatient, but⁠⁠‍ the somewhat impatient⁠ steps of the‌ knights seemed to‍‌ show the Count⁠ Vitskaya’s temperament.

“Ha!”‍‍

The⁠‌ Count, now alone,⁠ muttered quietly as he looked at‍ the salad in⁠ front of him.⁠

“He’s⁠‌ arrogant and confident.”‌‍

The‌‍‌ Count’s eyes shone⁠⁠ strangely as he‌ sat down to‍ eat late due‌ to a sudden uninvited guest.

“I’ll‍⁠⁠ have to find‌ out if you‍ have the skills to be so⁠‌ confident.”

A figure floated over⁠⁠‌ the silver spoon⁠‍ held by the‌⁠ Count.

The Dragon Slayer mark‌ engraved on the‌ flag was still alive in the‌ Count’s mind.

***‍

“It’s very expensive…”

It‌ was the first⁠‍ letter I sent.‍

A letter that used⁠‌ magical techniques to‍ send news to‍ distant places was‌ certainly an irreplaceably useful tool, but‌‌ it came with‌ a high price.‍

“How⁠‌ expensive is it?”‌

“I‍ heard it’s 1 gold per letter. The farther away,‍‌ the more expensive‌ it gets.”

“…How‌ many letters did‍⁠ you write?”

Goethe couldn’t keep his‌‌ mouth shut at‌‍‌ Vlad’s explanation.

The‍ cost of extorting‍ the Count by‌‌‍ all means was‍‍⁠ only about 10‌ gold coins.

However,‌ according to what‌ Vlad had just‍‌ said, if you⁠‍‌ send just ten‌ letters, the money‌‍ will disappear.

“They‍ said not to‍ worry about the‍⁠ cost.”

“Oh⁠ God… I’m glad.”‌⁠

Cost⁠‌ wasn’t the only‌‍ issue.

The‌‍ Count’s mage said‌‌ that to send‍ a letter to‌ a specific place,⁠⁠ you need to⁠ know the corresponding‍ wavelength number for‌ that area.

However,‌ there was no⁠ way Vlad would‌ know about the⁠ letter he was‍‍ attempting for the‍‌ first time in‍⁠ his life.

In⁠ the end, the‍‌‍ Count’s mage had‌‍ to sigh and‌‌ figure out the number corresponding to‍‍⁠ Soara himself.

“If‍⁠ I had gone to any mage,‌ I would have‍‍ given up.”

“…”⁠‍

Feeling embarrassed by Goethe’s⁠ words, Vlad scratched his neck and‌ walked down the‌‌ mansion hallway.

The colorful sculptures and⁠ carvings here and‍‍ there had long‌ disappeared from view.⁠

“I‌‍‌ didn’t even know⁠ this. What kind‍‌‌ of item is‍⁠⁠ this?”

I thought of sending⁠⁠ a letter blindly,‍ but it required knowledge and common‍ sense in the⁠‌ process.

Even⁠ if he had⁠⁠⁠ stayed in Soars,⁠ it would have⁠ taken him a long time to‌‌ function as a proper knight.

Just‍ knowing how to‌ wield a sword⁠ didn’t mean you‍ could become a knight.

“…Well,‌ the start here wasn’t so pleasant.‍ Still, I think‌⁠ it was good‍ to have met‌ the Count.”

Seeing‌⁠ Vlad’s face increasingly hardened, lost in‌‍ thoughts and regrets,⁠ Goethe quickly tried‌⁠ to change the‌ subject.

Goethe⁠⁠ knew very well‌‍ that he had‍ to be more⁠ faithful to this‍ role since he‍ couldn’t directly help‍‌‌ with the sword.

“What‍ does that mean?”‍⁠‍

Vlad,‍ momentarily taken out‍ of his thoughts⁠ by a comment‌ beside him, asked about what he‌‍⁠ had just said,⁠‌ but Goethe only‍ shrugged and pointed‍‍ to the decorations‌‌⁠ around them.

“What‍ is this?”

I was lost in⁠‌ my thoughts and‌ noticed the sculptures and decorations in‍⁠ the mansion that⁠⁠ I had never⁠‌⁠ noticed before.

Although‍ I didn’t know‍⁠ much about these‌ luxuries, the decorations‍ seemed quite exotic even to Vlad,⁠‍ a layman.

“They said it was‌ a gift from‌ the elves.”

Goethe wasn’t idle while‌ Vlad met the⁠ Count.

A good scammer should‌ always be sensitive⁠‌‌ to the trends⁠ around him.

“When‌ I asked the‍ servants here, I heard that the‌‌ elves don’t let anyone into their⁠ land.”

The⁠‌ County of Vitskaya,⁠ a territory located‍ in the eastern⁠ part of the‌ central region.

In⁠‍ the past, it was no different‍⁠ from a rural⁠⁠ fief like Dobrechi,‍ but during the current era of‌‌ the fief, it‌ was able to‌ maintain itself as⁠ one of the‌ bases for ordinary‍ trade.

“But‌‍ I don’t know⁠ how the Count‍⁠ managed to open‌ a trade route.‌ In other words,‍‌ he’s a person‌ who can communicate‌‍ with the elves.”‌‍

“…”⁠⁠

Vlad‍‌‌ felt as if⁠ he had regained‌ his senses at‌‌ Goethe’s words, but‍ he didn’t bother‌‍⁠ to respond.

Instead,‍ he simply raised‍⁠‌ his hand and‍ touched one of‌‍ the carved murals⁠‌ on the wall.⁠

Where‌‌ Vlad’s hand touched.⁠

There⁠ was a carved image of a person with ears‌⁠‌ too long to‌ be considered an⁠⁠ ordinary human.